Source Description:
(title page) Memoir of Mrs. Chloe Spear, A Native of Africa, Who was
Enslaved
in Childhood, and Died in Boston, January 3, 1815. . . . Aged 65 Years.
A Lady of Boston.
108 p., 1 ill.
Boston
Published by James Loring,
132 Washington Street.
1832

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Library of Congress Subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998

Languages Used:

English

LC Subject Headings:

Spear, Chloe, 1750?-1815.

African Americans -- Massachusetts -- Boston -- Biography.

African American women -- Massachusetts -- Boston -- Biography.

Women slaves -- Massachusetts -- Boston -- Biography.

Slaves -- Massachusetts -- Boston -- Biography.

Freedmen -- Massachusetts -- Boston -- Biography.

African Americans -- Massachusetts -- Boston -- Religion.

Slaves -- Religious life -- Massachusetts -- Boston.

Slavery -- Massachusetts -- Boston -- History.

Christian life.

Revision History:

2000-08-31,
Celine Noel and Wanda Gunther
revised TEIHeader and created catalog
record for the electronic edition.

BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY JAMES LORING,
132 Washington Street.
1832.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the Year 1832,
BY JAMES LORING,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

PREFACE.

When a book is put into the hands of
young persons, in the form of a Memoir or
Narrative, it is common to hear them ask,
"Is it true?" In reply to this interrogation
respecting the following little historical
sketch, we say, It is true. And other particulars
might be related that would be
interesting; but as the immediate design of
the writer, was to make more extensively
known the grace and mercy of GOD, and
the power of the Gospel, in bringing the
humble individual, whose experience it narrates,
to the knowledge of himself; it is

thought unnecessary to exceed the present
limits. It is sincerely commended to the
blessing of Him, who can make the feeblest
means instrumental of promoting his
own glory, and the salvation of souls. It
must be evident that nothing but the Religion
of Jesus could have effected such a change
in a poor heathen. Such a religion must be
worth possessing, for nothing else can renew
the heart of the most enlightened
individual in refined society.

"Let the heathen, let the Negro,
Let the rude Barbarian see
That divine and glorious conquest,
Once obtained on CALVARY."

In noticing the dates, it will be perceived
that the subject of the Memoir has been
dead, a little more than seventeen years.
Hence the question may arise in the minds
of some, "If the character was so well
esteemed, why has the work not been

executed before this?" The only reply
that can be made to such an inquiry is,
no one has performed it, although a
number of her friends have regretted
that something of the kind had not been done.

Impelled by the persuasion that "whatsoever our
hands find to do," must be done, speedily,
and supposing that it might never
be otherwise done at all, the attempt has
thus been made. Not, however, with a
view to any pecuniary emolument to the
writer,--as the avails of the copy-right
will be devoted to the benefit of Schools
in Africa,--but for reasons already assigned.

CHLOE SPEAR.

CHAPTER I.

The time and manner of her Capture--Arrival in
America--Separation from those who were taken
with her--She is sold, and brought to Boston--
Recollection of her native country--Desire to learn
to read--Partial success in the undertaking, and
subsequent grievous disappointment.

About seventy years ago, on the
coast of Afriac, the subject of the
following memoir, in company with
four neighbouring children, herself
the youngest, according, to the statements
from her own lips to the
writer, resorted to the shore for
amusement, either by bathing in
the cooling stream, or other playful

sports to which they were accustomed,
with the full expectation of returning
to their several homes, as usual, after
such seasons of childish diversion.

While engaged in these innocent and
healthful recreations, they were
suddenly surprised by the appearance
of several persons, who had secreted
themselves behind the bushes:
they knew not what to imagine
they were, having never seen
a white man; from whose frightful
presence they attempted to shrink
away, but from whose cruel grasp
they found it impossible to escape.
Not withstanding the piteous cries
and tears of these poor defenceless
children, they were arrested by
cruel hands, put in to a boat, and carried
to the dismal Slave Ship, which

lay off a few miles in the river, the
horrid receptacle of a living cargo,
stolen from its rightful soil, by barbarous
hunters of human prey for the purposes
of traffic. Terror and amazement, as
may be supposed, took full possession
of their minds. Every thing around
them was as novel as it was dreadful.
A ship, they had never before seen;
the language of these strange intruders
was perfectly unintelligible to them
and their intentions they were unable
to comprehend: and no tender
mother, no avenging father near,
to know or to alleviate their wretchedness.
Ah! little did these hapless children
realize, when they quitted their native
huts and frolicked, away to the woody
beach, that they had left, for the last time, the

places of their birth, and the fond
embraces of their parents and brothers
and sisters--that the last parting
kiss of maternal affection had rested
on their lips, and that they were
about to participate once for all, in
those much-loved plays which had
hitherto been undisturbed and joyous.
Little! nay, not at all did they realize,
that their hostile invaders
lay there in ambush, "like the lion
that is greedy of his prey," with
ferocious intent forever to deprive
them of all their domestic
felicities, as dear to them as to
the rosy children of America.
But, alas! such was the fact. We can
better conceive than express the
feelings of their parents and friends
when night came on, and the looked
for children returned not. Silence

--silence has ensued, from that to
the present hour. From their injured
children, they heard no more.
The bitter wailings of a bereft
mother, the deep anxiety of an afflicted
father, the tender lamentations
and suffused eyes of brothers and
sisters, were utterly disregarded
by those inhuman wretches, who
had plundered them of what they held so dear.

But, ah! that was not the end of
the matter. When that solemn day
shall arrive, when, as foretold in
prophetic vision, "The dead, small
and great, bond and free, shall
stand before God," and be "judged
according to their works,"--then,
a most fearful account, which is
now sealed up to that day, must be
given, even by the most hardened
of all God's vast creation. Nor can

we refrain from observing how far
do those portions of the human
family who can thus wantonly
injure the defenceless and ignorant
of their own species, degrade
themselves below the
unhappy objects of their
unkindness, and even below
the beasts that perish. No creature
so unwise, none so irrational as
those on whom their Creator has
lavished the greatest amount of
intelligence; none so unkind as
those, whom he has rendered
the most capable of kindly
affections; none so unhappy as
those, whom he has best qualified
for the enjoyment of happiness,
who yet abuse his favours!
How ungrateful is rational,
civilized man! Did he act agreeably
to the powers and advantages with which
he is endowed, he would every moment

be increasing his own happiness, and
that of his fellow-men, by the exercise
of gratitude, the application of wisdom
to those noble purposes for which it is
given him; and a tender regard for the
rights of others.

The cruel separation being made,
and the terrified, weeping victims
packed on board the floating prison,
her sails are bent, and she bears them
from Africa's romantic wilds, never to
return. The spot, however, from
whence they were stolen, is still a
part of this "dim speck call'd earth,"
and will testify against the perpetrators
of the dreadful deed.

The length of the passage is not
known; the end of the voyage, however,
brought them to Philadelphia,
in the state of Pennsylvania,
a portion of our country rendered sacred

to liberty, by the "friend," whose
name she perpetuates,--WILLIAM PENN.

Here, another painful separation
was to take place. Hitherto the
children had remained together,
nor does the writer recollect to
have understood that they were
beaten, or otherwise cruelly
treated, as many others have
been. But now they were to be
disposed of like cattle taken to a
Fair, to the highest bidder.
At the time they were exhibited
in the market, the
subject of our little history,
whom, she said, the sailors
used to call Pickaninny,
on account of her being the
smallest of the lot, was sick;
consequently she did not meet
a ready sale. The others were
sold, she knew not to whom,
and carried she knew not

whither. To one of them she was
more particularly attached, and
suffered severely on her being taken
from her. She herself, was subsequently
purchased by Mr B. and brought
to Boston, Massachusetts. Foul
stain on the character of our
beloved New-England! Thus divided
from all she held dear in this life,
and knowing nothing of a better,
she sighed, and wished for death;
supposing that when she died, she
should return to her country and
friends. This imagination she
derived from a superstitious tradition
of her ancestors, who, she said,
supposed that the first infant born
in a family after the decease of a
member, was the same individual
come back again, just as they saw a
young moon appear after the old
one was gone away.

She did not know her age, but
from her appearance she was
judged, she said, to be about twelve,
at the time of her arrival. But,
young as she was, she remembered
various particulars respecting
her country, such as climate,
fruits, traditions, &c. And having
always been accustomed to warm weather, she could not be made
to understand what was meant
by winter; and when told that,
at that season, water sometimes
became so hard that it could be
cut with an axe, she was astonished
and quite incredulous. When winter
came on, and she first
saw the falling flakes of snow,
she was highly amused and
playful. And as the season
advanced, and produced to
her senses the solid ice, she
found, by ocular demonstration,

She remembered the Tamarind
tree, and other productions
which grew spontaneously,
and in rich abundance; but
these, although so useful when
brought to this country, as she
herself witnessed, were useless
to the natives, because they were
ignorant of their nature and qualities,
and also of the means and
methods of improving them
to their comfort or profit.

Although enlightened and good
people must always have known,
that it was a barbarous and wicked
thing to take their fellow-beings
from their native land, and bring
them to ours, to sell or buy them
for slaves; yet it is well known
that then there was less knowledge
of its wickedness

than there now is. Hence
we are willing to believe,
that if the master and mistress
of this poor, oppressed girl,
whose story is here related,
and whom they named Chloe,
had lived in our day, they
would have dealt very
differently by her from
what they then did. But at
that time, here, as now in many
parts of the world, slaves were considered
property, and their owners
thought themselves under
no more obligations to instruct them,
otherwise than to do their work in such
a manner as best to subserve their
own interests, than farmers do, to
take, their horses and oxen into
their houses, instead of the pasture
or the barn. With such views, it is
not singular that Chloe was taught
nothing, comparatively, of her duty

to God, nor to read the blessed
Bible. She was, it is true, sent to
meeting half the day on the Sabbath;
but the seat assigned to herself
and her associates was remote
from the view of the congregation;
and she confessed, that as they did
not understand the preaching, they
took no interest in it, and spent the
time in playing, eating nuts, &c.
and derived no benefit whatever,
though the preaching probably was
evangelical.

It was close personal instruction
that she needed, to discover to her
the beauty of religion, and her
condition as a sinner. This she did
not receive. But, being favoured
by the munificent Author of her
existence, with superior intellectual
powers, which, if cultivated, would

have raised her above many of a
different complexion; when, (as
she was accustomed to do,) she
went to conduct the children of the
family to, and from school, she
discovered that the were obtaining
something of which she remained
ignorant. This excited an inclination
to learn to read, and after
becoming a little acquainted with
the school-mistress, who, it would
seem, manifested some sympathy
for the enslaved youth, she ventured
to express her desire.

How to accomplish her object,
was a question which required
consideration. She was aware that it
would not do to make known her
wishes at home, and she could not
attend at the regular school hours,
both for want of time, and because

the children would expose the fact
to their parents. But after some
reflection, an expedient was devised
that promised success. "So," said
Chloe, "I ask de Mistress how
much she hab week to teach me
such time I get when school out,
and my work done? She say,
'five
copper,'*

*This
was previous to the coinage of cents.

so she would chalk
down mark, how many day I go,
till make a week. She say too,
I mus bring book."

To these conditions she agreed,
as she occasionally received small
presents of money from visiters at the
house of her master.

Delighted with the prospect, she
hastened to a bookseller's shop, and
desired him to sell her a book. He
asked, what book? She answered

that she did not know; she wanted
a book. He asked what money she
had brought? She did not know
this neither, but showing him her
piece of silver, he found it to be a
twenty-cent piece. Whether the
bookseller willingly took advantage
of her ignorance, or whether he
supposed she was sent to purchase
a book of that value, we cannot
decide; but he gave her a Psalter,
which contained the Psalms, Proverbs,
and our Lord's Sermon on the
mount. An unsuitable book indeed,
on which to teach an untutored African
her alphabet! but this event
Chloe afterwards had occasion
to review as a peculiar providence.

By diligence in her domestic
avocations, and so much application
to, study as circumstances would

permit, she learned her letters, and
became quite interested in attempting
to spell. She kept the book
secreted in her pocket, and whenever
she had a few moments leisure,
she would take it out and try to
spell a word. While thus engaged
one day, her master discovered
the book in her hand, and inquired
what she was doing. She told the
truth,*

*She told the truth! What an example is this
to all children and youth. Had Chloe done as
have many who were better taught than she,
no doubt she might for a time, have escaped the reproofs of
her master, and possibly have continued to attend
her school. But her conscience must all her life long
have been accusing her of lying, and this would have
been far worse than what she endured in consequence of
the deprivation she suffered; for it is better to suffer
wrong, than to do wrong. Besides,
she would in all probability have been detected at
some future period, and then the mortification, in
addition to the guilt, would have been a severe
aggravation of her punishment. But what is greater
than all, she would have sinned against God, and thus
have exposed herself to his holy displeasure.

of the case. He angrily
forbade her going again to the schoolmistress
for instruction, even under
penalty of being suspended by her
two thumbs, and severely whipped;
he said it made negroes saucy to
know how to read, &c.

This was truly an afflictive stroke
to poor Chloe, but she was obliged
to submit as well as she could, and
altogether to desist from going to
school. She however hid her book
under her pillow, and when not
likely to be detected, she used to
labour over it, and strive to remember
what she had learned, and to
find out as much as she could herself;*

*Such patient diligence, and persevering effort,
under these trying and discouraging circumstances,
discover traits of a strong and penetrating genius,
which would be highly creditable to an enlightened
student, and most powerfully reprove those children
of kind and attentive parents, who are constantly
prompting them to the improvement of their minds
by personal instruction, and by affording them superior
advantages of a literary character; but who are still
negligent and remiss in their attention to study.

in life, she frequently spoke of it as a
striking providence, that the first
verse she was able to spell out, so
as to understand it, was Psalm xxxv.
1. "Plead my cause, O Lord, with
them that strive with me: fight
against them that fight against me."
She had gathered some ideas of a
Supreme Being, and had imbibed
a sort of confidence in his justice;
and feeling herself unjustly treated
by man, she found some consolation
in the hope of redress from a higher
Power, still longing for release by
death. As she progressed in spelling,
she perceived that her own
feelings were expressed in other
passages, particularly Psalm lxxi. 4.

"Deliver me, O my God, out of the
hand of the wicked, out of the hand
of the unrighteous and cruel man."

By these things she was led to
believe, that a kind Providence
had placed the scriptures of truth in her
way, to be a comfort to her, even in
that dark state. Had it been a common
spelling-book, instead of a Psalter,
she could not have derived this advantage.
The spelling-books of that day, it is
well known, differed widely in point of
religious instruction, from those of a
more recent date. Few, if any portions of
scripture were inserted. Had it
even been otherwise, those of which
she here speaks, are less adapted to
such a work, than many others.
We may therefore safely conclude
with her, that it was providential.

How far the passages of scripture
she mentions were applicable to
the conduct of Mr B. it is not our
province to determine; but it is not
strange that they should have served
to sustain an individual so situated.
She felt an ardent desire to learn to
read, and that she was unreasonably
opposed in this undertaking. It must
therefore have afforded a sort of
solace to her feelings to find that
some one had been oppressed as
well as herself, and that there was
some ground of hope for her likewise.
She appeared, however, not to have
possessed, and certainly not to have
retained, a revengeful spirit.

she enjoyed, strikingly shows that
her master indulged a mistaken idea
in supposing that the natural results
of education were unfavourable.
Education, like health, or property,
may be misimproved, and turned to
a bad account; but health and property,
if rightly improved, are among
our greatest blessings, and so is
education in all its various grades,
as experience has amply proved.
And we who are so happy as to live
in brighter days, should look back
with pity, as well as disapprobation,
on those who have erred on this point,
and forward, with joyful
anticipations, to succeeding generations,
while the tide of improvement
shall roll on, and its current become
more and more broad and rapid,
till knowledge, even the knowledge of

the Lord, which is the grand climax
of education, shall cover the earth
as the waters do the sea.

The most direct and certain method
of securing to ourselves the
reasonable services of domestics,
or children, is to afford them such
instruction, as will discover to their
understandings, the nature of the
duties they owe both to God, and
man; thus rendering it plain to
their perception, that their personal
happiness is inseparably connected with
their obedience and faithfulness in
the fulfilment of those duties.

CHAPTER II.

First serious Impressions--Removal to Andover during
the war--Further instruction in reading, by
Mr A. of that place--Deep feeling upon the subject
of Religion--Return to Boston--Makes a public
profession.

CHLOE could give no correct account
of dates; but, to judge from
other events, she must have become
a woman grown, when a female of
her acquaintance, who resided in
the neighbourhood, was taken very
sick; and her mistress sending her
occasionally with a little broth, or
with something that might be for
the comfort of the individual, gave
her an opportunity of witnessing,
the state of the sufferer. In a short
time, while she was one day
engaged in her domestic duties, she

was informed that the young woman
was dying. Having a kind of curiosity
to be present on such an occasion,
and withal feeling somewhat
alarmed, she left her work, and repaired
to the house of death. The sight affected
her. Death appeared to be something
different from what she had been
wont to view it. The
thought of having so improperly
spent their time when they used to
be together at meeting, rushed upon
her mind. When the spirit had departed,
she began to reflect, where
is she? &c. And either owing to
these circumstances, or to some remark
by another spectator, or to
both, this appears to have been the
first thing that made what may be
considered a serious impression upon
the mind of this daughter of Africa.

She knew not what it was, and had
no one to explain it to her, or to
instruct her on, the subject.

Not far from that time, and during
the American revolution, her master
removed his family to the
town of Andover, about twenty
miles from Boston. As was the
case with many other gentlemen,
who owned and occupied large
and handsome houses in their native
town, when, owing to the perils of
the times, they were obliged to quit
their homes, and take up with
part of a house in the country;
so it was with the master of Chloe. And
this was another remarkable providence,
which to her, will be an occasion
of devout and grateful admiration
forever! He took up his
residence in a part of the house of

Mr Adams, who was a truly pious
and devoted Christian. Thoughts of
the dying neighbour, and melancholy
reflections about country and kindred,
connected with the trials of her
involuntary servitude, cast a gloom
over the countenance of Chloe, which
betrayed itself to the discerning eye
of an enlightened Christian, as indicating
a sensibility of soul which demanded
sympathy. With a readiness to impart
needful instruction and kindly consolation,
congenial to a benevolent and
noble mind, Mr A. manifested an
interest in her welfare, and in a very
friendly and unforbidding manner inquired
of her, "What is the matter Chloe, are
you sick?" Unaccustomed to so much
apparent tenderness, and not
understanding the nature of her own

trouble, she felt rather abashed, and
scarcely knew what to say but replied
in her simple manner, "O,
Sir, my mind sick." This language
was more intelligible to this Christian
friend, than to herself, and he
took proper occasions to call her
into his room, and converse with her
about her soul. A relation of her
story, naturally unfolded the incidents
respecting her attempts to
learn to read, &c. The pity of the
good man for this dejected slave,
was still more strongly excited.
He kindly offered to teach her further,
and for this purpose gave her
permission to go into his room after
her master's family had retired, and
her work was finished. She thankfully
accepted the offer, considering
it a high privilege to have another

opportunity to learn to read the
Scriptures. She deprived herself of
sleep after working hard in the day,
that she might gain an object so
desirable in her esteem.

In addition to elementary instruction
in reading, Mr A. failed not to
give her such religious instruction
and advice as were calculated, with
the blessing of God, to benefit her
precious soul, commending her to
Him, in fervent, humble prayer.
And it now became evident that the
Spirit of God was operating upon
her heart.

After one of these interesting occasions,
being more deeply impressed than usual
with a sense of her sinfulness, she returned into her
kitchen; and having seen that her
fire was secure for the night, feeling

herself entirely alone, she fell on
her knees, and in broken accents,
poured out her soul to God, pleading,
as well as she knew how, for
mercy and forgiveness.

On rising, she was startled by
the voice of her master, who, having
suspected that something new was
going on, had seated himself in his
parlour to watch the movements.
"O!" (said Chloe, when relating
the story,) "my heart up in my
mouth. I di'n know what to do,
what I hab to suffer. But I went in
de parlour, 'cause he call me. He
say, 'Chloe, dis week, you go
Mr S. de minister, and ask him baptize
you.' I frighten! I say, O massa, I poor
creature, I no fit for baptize. 'Yes,'
he say, 'any body pray as
you hab, is fit.' I 'fraid say much,

fear he angry, so, soon I could, I go
up my chamber; den I tink, what
all dis mean? Same man tell me
once, I should no learn read, if I do,
I tie up by my two thumb, and
whipp'd; same man now tell me go
be baptize! What all dis mean?"

Thus unexpectedly brought into
a strait, poor Chloe was greatly
distressed. When her master called
her, she supposed he intended
to correct her. That he should, at
once, tell her to ask for baptism,
was so wide an extreme, she was
equally alarmed. Conscious that
she was not, agreeably to the views
she now entertained of the necessity
of regeneration, a suitable subject,
she trembled at the idea. But
not daring to disobey her master,
she complied with his order, and

was sprinkled after the mode of infant
baptism. This afforded no relief
to her troubled conscience; she
became more distressed on account
of sin; her "heart more sick;" particularly
on hearing a sermon on the
unpardonable sin.

In this state of mind, she resorted
to her kind friend, Mr A. who endeavoured
to console her feelings by
instructing her, that although she was
a great sinner, and nothing but the
blood of Christ could cleanse her,
yet owing to her ignorance of religious
subjects, he thought she could
not have committed that sin, and
therefore there was hope that she might
receive forgiveness, if she truly repented,
and came to the Saviour in his own
appointed way. Her
mind grew more calm, but she

did not rest satisfied, until she had
reason to believe that she was enabled
to cast herself wholly on the
mercy of God in Christ, and resign
her soul into his hands, for time and
for eternity.

What length of time they remained
in the country, is not known to the
writer; nor is it recollected precisely,
that the subject of our memoir arrived
at a settled conclusion respecting the
important change, above mentioned,
while there, or soon after her return
to Boston; but some time subsequently
to the re-settlement of the
family at home, feeling a humble hope
in the merits of her Saviour, she
believed it to be her duty to make an
open profession of his name. This she did by
uniting with the New-North Congregational

Church, then under the
pastoral care of Rev. Dr. Elliot,
(senior,) an excellent man, and a
faithful preacher of the gospel.

How obvious is it from the foregoing
chapter, that the omniscient
eye of the great Jehovah is over
all the works of his hands. He who
setteth up kings, and putteth them
down at his pleasure; who made and
governs worlds and beings of every
order; who has myriads of angels
and seraphs around his throne;
He who must bow even to behold
the things that are done in heaven,
--condescended to notice this
obscure female, and so to order events

in his Providence, overruling even
the calamity of war, as to place
her under the observation of one
of his own beloved children, who
knew, from personal experience, the
sorrows of a sin-sick soul, the preciousness
of the balm of consolation,
and the value of the "Physician,"
who alone is able to apply it. "Surely,"
O Lord, "the wrath of
man shall praise thee, and the remainder
of wrath thou wilt restrain!"

Convictions of truth, having been
evidently fastened on her conscience
by means of the death-bed scene,
she needed much of that sort of instruction,
which, to human probability,
she would not have enjoyed,
had she been circumstanced as previously.
God is never at a loss for

methods and instruments to accomplish
his own holy and benevolent purposes.
He who notices the falling of the
sparrow, and directs the lightning
of heaven in its course, led the steps
of Mr B. to the habitation of one
who feared God, and was not a
respecter of persons, and thus opened
the way for Chloe to receive unexpected
assistance in her efforts to learn to
read, and likewise to have the
path to heaven and happiness
lighted up before her in the
blessed gospel.

The momentous change which
was wrought in her heart, was
indeed effected by an Almighty
influence; and was precisely the
same as every genuine Christian,
whether a Chloe, or a Hannah More,
a Lazarus, or an Abraham, must, and does

experience, before he can enter a heaven
of holiness; agreeably to the declaration
of our Lord, "Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God." John iii. 3.

How dreadful then will it be in
that solemn day, when we shall
all appear before the judgment-seat
of Christ, should any, who may have
read this little history, be found
unprepared for his coming, while
this uncultivated African shall sit
down in the kingdom of heaven,
with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob,
and all the ransomed of the Lord out
of every nation and people; forever to
celebrate Redeeming Love!

That this may not be the case,
let all be admonished now, while
the day and the means of grace
are prolonged, to "flee from the

CHAPTER III.

Advances in the esteem and confidence of her master
and friends--Her marriage--Freedom by a law
of the Commonwealth--Prefers to reside with
her "old massa"--Occasional attendance on the
lectures of Dr. Stillman and Mr. Gair--Unites with
the church of the latter--Strong affection for
Christians, of whatever denomination--Desire
for a home of her own, to receive the people of God
--Remarkable industry, by which means she purchases
a house--Decease of her children--and of her husband.

CHLOE ever had been, and still
continued to be, a faithful servant,
and gained the approbation and confidence
of all the family, and the
esteem of their friends and connexions.
While yet a slave, she was
married to Cesar Spear, and
became the mother of several children.

manumission, (freedom) which was
to take effect at a specified period
not very distant. But shortly after,
by a law of the Commonwealth, all
the slaves in the State were made
free."** Mass. Baptist Magazine, Vol. of 1815. It however was her choice,
to remain for the present, with her
"old massa;" this being mutually
agreeable, he thenceforward paid
her for her services.

A family-like attachment subsisted
between them, to the close of life.
The son of Mr B. she used to
style her "young massa," and was
in the habit of visiting his family
after the decease of his parents.
From them she received various
marks of kindness, and of solicitude
for her comfort, both in sickness,

and in health. To the grand-children,
it was a peculiar gratification to have
a visit from "good old Chloe."

Her stated place of worship on the
Lord's-day, was the New-North
Church; but as there were no
evening meetings held there,
she was much in the habit of
attending the regular weekly
lectures of the late venerated
Dr. Stillman, and after the settlement
of Rev. Mr. Gair over the Second
Baptist Church, she often attended
his lectures also, and sought opportunities
of conversing with him on the
subject of religion. As she became
more acquainted with the Scriptures,
her mind was gradually enlightened,
and after various peculiar trials on the
subject, she was, led clearly into the doctrine
of believers' baptism by immersion; was,

baptized by Mr. Gair, and admitted
a member of that church, in the
month of November, 1788.

She was ardently attached to the
people of God, of whatever denomination,
and rejoiced to associate
with them in his worship. Particularly
was she delighted with the
little social meetings held at private
houses, where the religious experiences
of Christians were often made
a topic of conversation, and in which
she found her own exercises more
fully developed, than she herself
was capable of expressing them;
and she formed the resolution, that
if, in the course of Providence, she
should ever be permitted to have a
home of her own, she would open
her doors for such purposes.

grew in grace and in knowledge,
and in favour with God and man.
Her case was a striking instance of
sovereign, distinguishing goodness;
and she frequently spoke of it with
devout gratitude, that she, an ignorant,
defenceless child, should have been
taken from country and kindred, and
subjected to slavery in a strange land,
that she might be made acquainted
with the gospel, be redeemed from
the more cruel bondage of sin, and
brought into the liberty of the
children of God. "They," she would
say, "meant it for evil, but God
meant it for good. To his name
be the glory." She no longer
desired to die, and go to her
native land, but earnestly prayed
that the blessed gospel might
be sent there, and to the utmost
ends of the earth.

In process of time, she, with her
husband, commenced house-keeping.
But he being of a different turn
of mind from herself, and not
seriously disposed,--she did not enjoy
all the domestic happiness that was
desirable. She was enabled, notwithstanding,
to maintain her Christian
profession with meekness. Having taken
a decided stand for God, she kept
it firmly to the end.

By habits of industry and economy,
she found herself gaining in
property; and felt an increasing
desire, to possess, some time or
other, a little habitation that she
could call her own. Stimulated by
this desire, she worked early and
late though not to the neglect of
religious duties, either public or
private. A strict and conscientious

regard to these, she said, strengthened
her, and prompted her to the discharge
of her secular duties. She
not only assisted her husband in the
care of a family of boarders, who
were seamen, or labourers, but she
also took in washing, and went into
various families as a washerwoman,
&c. And whatever she could save of
her earnings, she carefully laid up.

The families for whom she worked,
frequently gave her their cold
meat and vegetables, which served
to help out a meal at home, and
consequently lessened the expense
of providing; and as her husband
was more particular to have enough
to eat, than to inquire from whence
it came, and was in the habit of
submitting the chief management
of domestic affairs, to his "cleber

wife," she had opportunities in this
way, of adding to her little stock.

After returning from a hard day's
work, she many a time, went to
washing for her customers in the
night, while her husband was taking
his rest,--extended lines across her
room, and hung up her clothes to
dry, while she retired to bed
for a few hours; then arose, prepared
breakfast, and went out to work
again, leaving her ironing to
be done on her return at night.
Cesar, having been accustomed
to cooking, &c. could, on these
occasions, wait upon himself and
boarders, during her absence; but
was quite willing that she should
make ready a good supper, after
she came home.

economy, for which his companion
was so remarkable, was, nevertheless,
fond of finery and show, and would
sometimes say to her, "Chloe, why you
don't wear silk gown, dress up smart,
like udder colour women?"
"Well," she would reply, "you
give me money, I can buy silk gown,
well as any body." The money, he would
give to her; but think so little on the
subject afterward, that, instead of
an extravagant dress,
something cheap, and comfortable,
satisfied good Chloe, and the
surplus augmented her treasury;
which, in her estimation, was a thing
of far greater importance, than gay clothing.
Here the business rested, until
he again discovered that she needed
a new dress, to make her appear
fashionable, when, as before, she

Things went on much in this way,
for several years. All their children,
one after another, to the number of
seven, deceased; only one of whom,
it is believed, left any children,
and at the time of her own death, her
only surviving relative was a grand-son.

For a long time she concealed,
within her own mind, the project
of reserving her earnings for the
purpose, and with the hope of
purchasing a little tenement, not
knowing what might take place,
or whether she should ever accumulate
a sufficiency. One day hearing of
an unfinished house for sale,
she made inquiries respecting it,
and critically examined her capital,
to see if she might venture

to hope for a consummation of her
wishes. Having satisfied herself,
and being aware that the purchase
must be made in her husband's
name, "'cause he de head," she
said to him, "Cesar, house to sell;
I wish we buy it." He laughed at
her, for thinking of such a thing,
but asked her, "how much e price
ob it?" "Seben hundred dollar,"
she answered. "Seben hundred
dollar!!" exclaimed Cesar, "I no
got de money, how I buy a house?"
"I got money," said Chloe. At
first, he knew not how to believe
her; having never suspected her
plans; but she stated to him the
methods by which she had acquired,
and from time to time laid up this
sum of money. He then was pleased,
and very readily agreed to the

purchase, which, with the advice of
her friends, was soon effected. But
the house*

*The house stands near the head of a lane on
the north side of Rev. Mr. Parkman's Meeting-House,
in Hanover Street, Boston.

was unfinished. She
therefore proposed that themselves
should occupy the most inferior part
of it, and let out the remainder, until,
from the income, they could finish
one room after another, and thus
increase the rent, which, with the
blessing of Providence, might
serve to support them, should they
live to grow old. That also was
effected. But during this lapse of
time, her husband, after a long and
painful illness, was removed by
the hand of death.

Under this dispensation of Divine
Providence, Chloe behaved with
much Christian propriety.

The circumstance of dissolving
her connexion with the church with
which she first united, was one of
deep interest to Chloe, as she in a
most solemn and impressive manner
related to the writer, long after it took
place, and as she had previously
done to others. With her, it was a
subject of much prayer, searching
the Scriptures, and close self-examination.
It was clearly apparent that
she acted conscientiously, and
under an affecting sense of her
accountableness to God. That she
was ardently attached to the people
of God, of whatever denomination,
was manifest to all who knew her.

His people, were her people; she
loved her Saviour's image
wherever she saw it. And as her
discernment of Christian character
and experience was keen and
discriminating, she was capable
of enjoying much in their society;
and also of suitably esteeming the
privilege of receiving them into her house.

The temper she discovered in relation
to her captivity, strongly
resembled that of Joseph, whose language
she quoted when adverting to the subject.
Like her blessed Lord and Master,
she breathed the spirit of forgiveness,
and prayed for the salvation of those,
who had injured her. This must have
been owing to the influence of
religion upon her heart; and the same influence
filled her with thankfulness

to God for bringing her to this land
of Bibles; enlarged her desires for
the happiness of her relatives, and
so corrected her views, that, instead
of vainly wishing to transmigrate into
an infant, and live again in her
native country, subject to all its destitution
of religious privileges; her constant
prayer was, that the light of divine
truth might be conveyed to them,
that they also, might believe and be saved.

We perceive from the preceding
chapter, that she realized her desires
with regard to having "a home
of her own." Here we see too, the
unsatisfying nature of earthly comforts,
and how uncertain it is, even if we are
brought into possession of what we
desire, whether we shall experience
all the enjoyment we anticipate.

She, it seems, did not
enjoy all the domestic happiness that
was desirable. While her happiness
consisted in quietly communing
with God, and her own heart; that
of her husband consisted in eating
and drinking, and associating with his
comrades. This must have been
a heavy trial; but it served to keep
her humble, and show her her dependance
upon God alone, for solid
comfort.

Let her troubles and disappointments,
teach those, who hear of
them, not to depend too confidently
on temporal circumstances to
render them happy. Our God often
sees it necessary to send with our
earthly blessings, some trial, for which
we did not look, and which greatly
embitters our comforts. Were it not

It is a pleasing trait in her Christian
character, that neither trouble,
nor hard work, prevailed, to induce
in her a relaxation from her attendance
on the public means of religious
improvement, or the retired
privileges of the closet.

Although there are periods in the
life of every Christian, when it is
more obviously a duty to be engaged
in avocations of a domestic or business
character, than to be at meeting,
or secluded from the family, on
our knees; yet it is extremely hazardous
to a life of devotion, and no less so to
the faithful and acceptable discharge
of secular duties, to yield to the
idea, that every thing of a worldly
nature, must be attended

to first: and then, if we "have
time," pretend to worship and serve
our Creator. The Saviour says,
"Seek first the kingdom of God."
By this he does not intend, that
we should spend a great length
of time in "making long prayers,"
but that we should make religion
our primary concern, and the glory
of God, our supreme and ultimate
object. When this is done, our temporal
affairs will not suffer for want of proper
attention. This we see exemplified
in the conduct of Chloe.

The industry and enterprise, which
are presented to view in the third
chapter of her history, are truly admirable
in such an individual. In
these, we have a pattern, worthy of
the imitation of any class of our
readers.

The idea of purchasing a house
and land, by means so unpromising,
would have appeared to thousands
too chimerical to be indulged; too
uncertain, to encourage an effort.
Many a cool calculating mathematicion,
had he been consulted on the subject,
would have thought it advisable that
she content herself with buying
her silk dresses, and living
upon the best fare she could obtain;
and risk a support, when old age
arrived, in the alms-house, or wherever
it might happen to be convenient.
But Chloe "attempted, expected," and
accomplished, "great things;" and, in
the evening of life, when no longer
able to endure hardships, she
sat down to the full
enjoyment of the fruit of her labours,

One error, however, we must
allow that she committed. And,
in consequence of this, she probably
suffered much, in the latter part of
her life time. Her perseverance
led her beyond due bounds, in the
practice of drying washed clothes in
her sleeping room. Though she was
insensible of it at the time, it was,
probably, laying a foundation for the
very distressing Rheumatic complaints,
with which she was afterwards so seriously
afflicted. Still, we will not be hasty
in condemning her, as it is difficult
to say what else she could have done,
without sustaining a considerable loss. Her
customers wanted their clothes in season.
She had no other apartment

in which it was proper to dry them
It was not safe to put them out of
doors in the night, as it might be a
temptation to some one to take them
dishonestly. We must therefore leave the
subject as it respected herself, while we
cannot hold her up as an example in this
particular, because a similar exposure, might
prove destructive to health, even where the
constitution is good.

Her readiness to deny herself trifling
gratifications, for the sake of providing
for the future, evinced a strength
of mind, not always discoverable in those,
whose advantages may lead us to
suppose, they have even more moral
courage, than one like herself. Her skill
and fore-thought, also, in contriving to finish
their house, may be advantageously

improved by all who are
endeavouring to rise in the world,
by personal effort. Penetration,
Industry, and Economy, exercised
in humble dependence on the blessing
of Providence, form the grand
secret of success in the accumulation
of wealth. "The blessing of
the Lord," says the Psalmist, "maketh
rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Let none, then, fail to
seek his blessing, when about to
engage in the pursuit of lawful
undertakings.

The chapter concludes with a
brief statement of the decease of
her husband. This is the final close
of all earthly scenes, to each individual
of the human family. Sooner, or
later, the solemn change will pass
upon all of us; and it is of

equal importance, to each, that he
be found in a state of preparation
for that event. Whatever disappointments
may overtake us, in our
journey through this vale of tears,
no one will be disappointed in the
expectation of DEATH. Many, indeed,
have, and many more will,
experience sad disappointments, in
their fond expectations of long life.
But amid all the uncertainties that
attend the calculations of mortals,
no one has reason to entertain the
slightest apprehension, that Death
will be unfaithful in the execution
of his warrant. He never fails to aim
a successful arrow at his victim, at
the moment he receives his commission
to send it! "Death passed upon
all men, for that all have sinned."

we have remarked, she behaved
with much Christian propriety.
She did not make a display of
grief, and pretend that she had lost
one of the best of husbands, as is
the case with some persons after
their friends are dead, but who
were not very ardently attached
to them while they lived. Still,
being deeply affected with the
apprehension that he was not
prepared for heaven, though he had
been often warned of his danger, she
felt distressed on his account, but
believed it to be her duty to bow
submissively to the will of her heavenly
Father, satisfied that "the Judge of
all the earth had done right." She could now,
with all her heart, plead for a fulfilment
of the promises of God, made
especially to the widow, and on
him she cast all her care.

CHAPTER IV.

Religious Meetings at her house--Visits of respectable
friends--Description of her person--Disposition
--Benevolence--Interest in Missions--Usefulness
--Spirituality, and Humility--Gratitude
for mercies--Sickness and Death.

HAVING realized the earnest desire
of her heart, viz. that she might have a
home of her own; and now having
no one to control her, with inexpressible
delight, she set about performing more
fully, her former resolutions, although
she had not been unmindful of them, from the
time of her commencing house-keeper.
Her doors were opened for religious
meetings, and many, not only
of her own colour, but also of her
other friends, found it pleasant and
profitable, to visit their widowed

sister Chloe, and hold converse with
her upon those things which relate to
another and better world. Her beloved
Pastor, the late Dr. Baldwin, the honoured
successor of Mr. Gair, in the oversight
of the church used to esteem it a privilege
to participate in exercises of this nature,
under her peaceful roof. And, occasionally,
pious ladies, of the first respectability,
were pleased to make her an afternoon
visit; when, with her accustomed modesty,
she would wait on them, and then take
her own tea by herself. This reserve,
however, was in the course of time,
removed, by the affability of her friends.
So true is the promise of God,--"They that
honour me, I will honour." And, "he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Her person was rather above the
common size; her countenance
open, and interesting; her disposition
placid and cheerful, though at
a great remove from levity. Her
language was extremely broken; so
much so, she could never pronounce
many words which are in
common use. In attempting
sometimes to speak, and perceiving
by a restrained smile on the countenances
of those present, that she
was incorrect, she would very pleasantly
laugh at herself, with a view
to give others the opportunity to do
so, without the fear of hurting her
feelings.

A disposition to forgive injuries,
was also a prominent feature in her character.
Of this, a single anecdote
is sufficient.--She had experienced

from an individual, some
treatment, not altogether so kind
as she had reason to expect. He
subsequently became sensible of his
error, and spoke to her on the subject.
The readiness she instantly
manifested for a reconciliation, produced
a degree of surprise, which
he could not easily conceal. "Brudder,"
said she, "don't you know,
when any body bow to me, I always
drop?"--courtseying down to the
ground to express her meaning, viz.
that she was willing to take "the
lowest place."

She was kind and benevolent to
the poor and distressed. Whenever
objects of charity were presented,
her hand was open for their relief.
Indeed, she measured her personal
expenses in view of the necessities

of others, and used to say, she never
felt "stingy," only when she was
procuring something for herself.
She would then economize, that she
might always have something to impart
to such as were in want; "especially
those who were of the
household of faith."

When Christians in this country
began efficiently to promote
the glorious cause of Missions,
her heart exulted in prospect
of the enlargement of the Redeemer's
kingdom. She longed,
and prayed, for the spread
of the gospel, and especially
that "Ethiopia might soon stretch
out her hand unto God." Thousands
of her petitions for this desirable
object are on file, and will
assuredly be answered in the
fullness of time. Yea, already, we see evident

answers, in the efforts of his
people for its accomplishment, and
in the blessing which has followed.
In these efforts, how sincerely would
she rejoice. Peradventure, she does
rejoice in them!

Nor did she present her prayers
only. Her alms also, are still a
memorial before God, and before
his people.

Such were her desires for usefulness
in the cause of Christ, that she
would often say, if he would
condescend to let her do any
thing for him, she should view
it a privilege, were it "only to fill up
a pin hole," (alluding to the ancient
Jewish tabernacle,) or render the
smallest service to his saints. And
he was pleased to make her useful,
more especially among those of her
own colour.

The blessings promised to the
"peace-maker" were hers, to a
desirable extent. She was peculiarly
successful in healing difficulties,
even where those of superior
abilities had failed. And so
happy was her talent in conversation
with persons, in the early stages
of religious conviction, that in
seasons of revival in the neighbouring
towns, she was frequently invited to
visit them, and was instrumental of
good. Perhaps a recollection of such
interviews may be revived in the minds
of some, who may read this memoir.

But, it was in fervent spirituality
of mind, that our friend excelled.
The character, and glory of God,
the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT,
and the stupendous plan of man's
redemption, were the themes, that

most of all, engrossed her meditations,
and were the ground of her
comfort. Her perceptions of divine
truth were remarkably clear. She
evidently lived near the throne of
grace, and derived her enjoyment
from the fountain-head. Her conversation
was comforting even to
those far advanced in the Christian
course; and instructive and pleasing
to the young. There was much of life
and animation in her manners, and
she was peculiar for conveying
her ideas in metaphors which
originated in her own mind, and
thus often engaged the attention,
and rendered herself agreeable to
persons, who were not particularly
serious.

When wishing to state her ideas of
the difference in her feelings towards

God, as the Author of her mercies,
and man, as the instrument of communicating
them; she often brought
the following similitude: "My mistress
sometimes used to send me
wid present to lady; de lady say,
'Tell Mrs. B. I very much obliged
to her; and, (in a low and indifferent
tone,) I thank you, Chloe, for
bringing the parcel. So I lub my
minister, and all Christian frien,
dat try to do me good. I thank
them: but I feel under very great
obligation to God, who gib me de
blessing, and make use ob his children
to bring it to me."

Possessing a very humble opinion
of herself, she compared her own
mind, in distinction from others,
to a very small vessel. Many, who
were in the habit of meeting her in

the little conference room, still remember
with what animation she would
break out, after having listened
with delight to the conversation;
and with hands uplifted, exclaim,
--"O, my dear frien, I can wait no
longer! My Gill Cup, (meaning
that her capacity was so small it
could contain but little, therefore,
she must give vent to her feelings,)
run ober, I mus speak few word."
And from the fullness of her
soul she would tell of the love
of Jesus to poor sinners; expressing
a deep sense of her unworthiness
to make mention of his name,
but saying that if she should hold her peace,
the stones would cry out.

Conscious of her own weakness,
with much feeling and simplicity,
she would often advert to the exercises

of the Psalmist, as those she
wished to cultivate in her own
bosom. 'Lord, my heart is not
haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither
do I exercise myself in great
matters, or in things too high
for me,' &c. "Yet I mus speak
for my dear Saviour. De dead,
praise not de Lord, but while
Chloe lib, she mus praise him.
She mus speak ob de glorious
majesty ob his kingdom, and talk
ob his power. All his works praise
him, and his saints bless him. Chloe
mus bless him too; my dear frien
mus bear wid me if I speak too much."

In view of the mysteries and
mercies of Providence towards her,
she would exclaim, "I may say
wid de Psalmist, 'I am a wonder
to many.' Think what God done

for poor me! So vile, so sinful,
yet Jesus stoop so low, pick me
up! Though I poor stranger, he pity me."

The first eight verses of the 56th
chapter of Isaiah, were very precious
to her; particularly from the 3rd to
the 7th verse. "Neither let
the son of the stranger, that
hath joined himself to the Lord,
speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly
separated me from his people, &c.
For, even unto them will I give
in mine house and within
my walls, a place and a name
better than of sons and of
daughters. Even them will I
bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my
house of prayer." On these words
she would expatiate with evident
motions of heart-felt gratitude.

And this was done with so much
unaffected sincerity, that tears have
often flown from the eyes of those
who heard her. Indeed, the heart
must have been hard, that did not
swell with admiring and devout acknowledgment
of the power and
efficacy of divine grace, so clearly
demonstrated before them. Said a
Christian visiter, after hearing her
remarks for the first time, "She is
black, but comely."

It was with reluctance that she
left the place of social worship,
and the company of Christians.
When the usual hour for closing
a meeting arrived, she would console
herself and others with the thought,
that "in heaven, no nine-o'clock
bell would hurry them home. No
nine o'clock dare. Dat congregation
neber break up."

She manifested much gratitude
to God for the blessings of a quiet
home, where she could, on her
return from public worship,
sit down alone, and meditate
on the holy Scriptures; spread
out her wants before God, and
plead for fresh and more enlarged
discoveries of his love to her soul.

With all her efforts, she was never
able to read very correctly, though
she made out to read the Bible,
and some other good books,
with such accuracy as to derive
from them much satisfaction
and spiritual improvement. And
by close and constant attention,
her mind was richly stored with
Scripture knowledge. She retained a very
grateful remembrance of those
friends who instructed her, particularly Mr A.

For a number of years she suffered
exceedingly from rheumatic
affections, which usually attacked
her in the winter, and confined her
for weeks, and sometimes months.
Some of her fingers were drawn
double with the violence of the disorder.
Under those trials, she was
patient, and submissive to the will
of her heavenly Father; always
justifying his dealings with her, and
rejoicing that she was under his
government. On recovering so as
to be able to participate again in the
public worship and ordinances of
God's house, she seemed filled with
gratitude and holy joy; and increasingly
desirous of improving those
dispensations in a suitable manner.

In the autumn of the year 1814,
as was said of the patriarch, the
time drew near that she must die;
and having seasonably adjusted all
her temporal affairs, her only
concern was to be enabled to glorify
God in her last sickness and death.
This desire was happily fulfilled.

The following is extracted from a
short memoir of her, which was
published in the Massachusetts Baptist
Missionary Magazine, a few
weeks after her decease. It was
written by Dr. Baldwin, who
was then the editor of that work.

"Several of the last years of her
life, her mind appeared uncommonly
spiritual. As she advanced in life, she
seemed to ripen for glory. Few
Christians with whom we have
been acquainted, have appeared to maintain

"During her last sickness, which
was of several months continuance,
she was favoured with an almost
uninterrupted peace of Mind. When
exceeding low, she would frequently,
while bolstered up in her bed,
converse for hours with her friends
who surrounded her, until her
strength was quite exhausted.
She improved every opportunity
to exhort her Christian friends to
walk worthy of the Lord, and to
live in love and peace with each
other. Such as she had reason to
believe were in a state of unbelief,
she most faithfully and solemnly
warned to flee from the wrath to
come. Many could not refrain from
tears, while listening to her broken, but

pious and moving exhortations. In
one of the last visits made her by her
Pastor only a day or two before
her death, she observed to him,
she had several times thought herself
going to her blessed Saviour: but
added, she was willing to stay or go,
just as her heavenly Father
should see fit to order. After a
number of very touching observations,
she said, "O, sir, I have been
thinking of that blessed passage
of Scripture, where it is said, 'They
that be planted in the house of the
Lord, shall flourish in the courts
of our God. They shall bring forth fruit
in old age. They shall be fat and
flourishing; to show that the Lord
is upright.'*

* "A funeral discourse was delivered from this
passage by the Pastor of the church, the Lord's
day following her interment."

to be my experience. O, the Lord
is good to me, poor unworthy
creature." Death had no terrors
for her. She seemed wholly
resigned to the will of God,
and, like good old Simeon,
ready to depart in peace.

"On the 3rd of January, 1815,
she gently fell asleep in Jesus, aged,
as was supposed, about 65: and
on the 7th, her remains
were committed to the family
vault of her former master,
which was kindly offered by
the heirs.

"She left by will to her grandson,
$500. To five persons of colour,
all members of the same church,
$50 each; and to three of them,
all her wearing apparel, beds, bed and
table linen, and several smaller legacies
to others. To the church, she

gave $333,33 cents, the interest to
be applied to the relief of
the sick and poor, particularly
to the members of colour. The
remainder she left to the Baptist
Missionary Society. She had
previously made a present to her
Pastor of $100."

Her funeral was attended by many
of the members of the church;
several of the family of Mr B.
(who appeared to esteem it a privilege
to have her bones deposited in the
same tomb in which rested those
of their fathers, and in which they
anticipated laying their own,) besides
various other persons, among whom,
was the late Rev. Thomas Paul, whom
she was much in the habit of calling her son.

And, when the trump of the
arch-angel, shall issue its tremendous
sound, ARISE, YE DEAD, AND
COME TO JUDGMENT, who will be
unwilling to appear in company with
this lowly saint?

If it will be important at that
solemn period to be found among
those who have "washed their robes
and made them white in the blood
of the Lamb," let us "now, in the
accepted time, and day of salvation,"
seek an interest in Him who
is "the Resurrection and the Life;"
for on such alone, "the second Death
shall have no power." Such only will
be "CHRIST's at his
coming."

PRUDENCE, is a distinctive mark
of a consistent Christian. For a
woman professing godliness, to attempt,
frequently, to have religious
meetings conducted at her house,
while her husband is pursuing a
course that must interrupt their solemnity
and order, would be no
proof of sincere and humble engagedness
in the cause. We therefore
cannot avoid the conviction, that
however gratifying it might have
been in some respects, it was a dictate
of wisdom to submit to the
deprivation, in preference to subjecting
the cause of religion to
unfriendly observation. But now,

finding herself alone, in the hope
that her own growth in grace might
be promoted, and that her neighbours
and others might be benefited;
to see her throwing open the
doors of her dwelling, and inviting
the friends of the Redeemer to unite
with her in acts of devotion and
praise, affords additional evidence,
of her Christian fidelity, and a love
for souls. The unassuming manner
in which she received and entertained
those who honoured her,
and gratified themselves with a
friendly interview, shows that religion
had a practical influence
on her spirit and conduct. What a
happy world would this be, were
all its inhabitants actuated by the
same principles which governed
this humble follower of her Saviour!

The ingenuousness and pleasantry
apparent in the habit alluded to,
of indulging her friends in a
little amusement when she uttered
herself in her broken style, differed
widely from the irritability of
some persons, who injure the feelings
of their friends by resenting some
trifling observation, dropped
without the least intention of wounding
the individual who has thus committed
a little mistake, and which, if turned
off with an easy good-natured smile,
would at once discover an amiable
disposition, and save many painful
sensations to the parties concerned.

In the character before us, we
see too, that the religion of Jesus
Christ expands the heart. It was
love for perishing souls, that brought
him from heaven to earth, to die for

their redemption. And the same
love shed abroad in the hearts
of his people disposes them to
acts of benevolence, and makes
them anxious for the salvation
of their fellow-sinners. Having
themselves tasted that the Lord
is gracious, they desire that others
should participate in the same blessing.
It was this spirit that caused Chloe
to sympathize with the afflicted,
and to distribute her charities among
the poor, and those who did not
enjoy the privileges of the gospel;
deducting from her own comforts,
for the sake of theirs.

It was perfectly right and proper
that she should cherish a grateful
sense of the kindnesses rendered
her by her valued benefactor, Mr Adams,
and others of her friends,

who had assisted her in the acquisition
of useful and religious knowledge.
It is not, however, always
the case that persons do this. "The
chief butler," we are told, (Genesis
40th) "did not remember Joseph,
but forgot him," notwithstanding
he was deeply indebted to
him for services performed
while under peculiarly
trying circumstances, which
to a grateful heart, renders a
favour doubly valuable. And
notwithstanding, the moving
entreaties of Joseph, that he would
remember him, when, as he assured
him, he would be reinstated in a
prosperous and desirable situation.
But Chloe, it appears, enhanced the
worth of favours shown her, by returns
of gratitude, And by thus doing,
she had a two-fold enjoyment.

And, how superlatively delightful
must it have been to her, after arriving
at her heavenly home, to welcome
thither her esteemed friend,
who had pointed her to the Lamb of
God, under his earthly roof! And no
less so, surely, to him, to find her safe
within the walls of the New-Jerusalem,
clothed in the "long white robe
of the Redeemer's righteousness!"

"Blessed are the peace-makers,"
said our divine Lord. Happy, then,
will it be for all those who possess
and cultivate this amiable characteristic.
And if, with all the disadvantages
under which this poor African
laboured, she acquired it,
who need despair of inheriting those
blessings, if sincerely disposed to
promote harmony and good feeling
among their fellow-beings?

Her usefulness in seasons of religious
revival, is a subject of admiration,
and should call forth our
thankfulness to Him, who can even
"take worms, to thresh mountains."
The feeblest child of God may be
useful at such times, if rightly influenced.
But it must be confessed, that no
common share of prudence is required
in treating the case of an anxious sinner.
It was not by pushing herself forward,
and conversing, in a boisterous, dictatorial
strain, as if she could tell a soul how to
convert itself, that Chloe made herself
useful. It was by gently administering
the sincere milk of the word, in a kind,
unassuming manner, as they were able
to bear it, that she led along those
who were inquiring after truth; and

by tender and pathetic representations
of the sufferings and compassion
of the Saviour, that she won them
over to a love of his character.

She was also a worthy example
in having seasonably adjusted
her temporal affairs! How many
have neglected this important
concern until they were so unwell
as to be unable to attend to it, or
perhaps until it was altogether too
late. Consequently much trouble
has ensued to survivors.

The sick bed,--the dying scene,
--the triumphant departure--speak
for themselves. And in view of
them, how can any one refrain
from saying, "Let me die the
death of the righteous, and
let my last end be like hers!"

It is sometimes objected to memoirs
and narratives, that they present
to view those parts of the
character only, that were correct
and praise-worthy; while they say
nothing of its defects. In relation
to this, we remark, that the preceding
pages were not written with
any idea of giving a perfect character.
None such exists. The
wise man asserts, that "there is not
a just man upon earth, that lives
and sins not." In common with all
others, she was a depraved creature.
None would be more ready to write
TEKEL, (wanting,) against all their
performances, than would have been

our departed friend. Perhaps, however,
as little could be brought forward,
by any who knew her, that
would go to sully a Christian profession,
as in most cases that can be
named. And while we fully agree
with herself, that she was a "poor
sinner," we feel the most undoubting
assurance, that she was a sinner
SAVED, by unmerited, distinguishing
GRACE.

With the desire that "being dead,
she may yet speak forth the praise
of Him, who called her out of darkness
into his marvellous light," this
little monument has been erected.

The prayers of the reader are
affectionately solicited, that the blessing
of God, may cause it to be instrumental
of good to many. And
let all into whose hands it may

come, be led by its perusal, to feel
more tenderly for oppressed and
benighted Africans; that so they
may employ their influence and their
property, in the advancement of all
proper measures for their improvement.
Then, millions of the sons
and daughters of Africa, who are
now as defenceless, and unenlightened,
as Chloe once was, will be taught
to read "the holy Scriptures,
which are able to make them wise
unto salvation."

"Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To CHRIST all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him, LORD of all."

CONCLUSION.

The subject of Slavery affords a
melancholy evidence of the wickedness
of man. It is probably true,
that almost ever since this fallen
world has been peopled, especially
since the replenishing of the inhabitants
of the earth after the general deluge
some portions of our race
have been held in bondage by others.

We are permitted, however, to
rejoice in the power and grace of
God, who, notwithstanding the
depravity of human nature, has,
in his infinite wisdom, so overruled
and controlled events, as to make
even slavery an indirect means of great

good. Without any design on the
part of those who have been engaged
in the traffic, thousands, perhaps
millions, have been brought
under the sound of the gospel,
and have repented, believed, and become
the freeborn children of God. Multitudes
of them, and among this happy number,
our friend CHLOE, of whom we have
just been reading, are at this moment,
we trust, bowing with the holy
company above, before the throne
of the Eternal. Many more will
yet be welcomed in that happy
world, while some, perhaps many,
of those who have been their oppressors
on earth, will be forever shut out!

AFRICA, we believe, was born to
be free. The time will come, when
she will stand forward, an independent

and enterprising nation; and will
take an active and an honourable
part, in advancing the interests
and the increase of the Redeemer's
kingdom. Notwithstanding the
dullness and inaptitude of numbers
of that people, which has led
some persons to conclude that they
could never be instructed to any
considerable extent; there have, from
time immemorial, appeared instances,
which have afforded reason to
determine, that there may be as great
a capital of mind, in a given portion
of that race of man, as in an equal
number of other nations; and that
under early and proper cultivation,
detached, in the first place, from
local disadvantages, and the contaminating
influence of degrading society, would
shine with equal

lustre. Chloe was one instance.
Early moral and physical culture,
with kindly encouragement, and
affectionate prompting, would
probably have done wonders in
her case; and so of thousands of others.

The efforts now making for the
civilization of Africa, and for spreading
the gospel in that populous country,
inspire the confidence, that God is
about to fulfil the gracious promise,
so long since made to
his saints;--"Ethiopia shall soon
stretch out her hand unto God."
In all succeeding ages, from that
time to the present, his people have
been praying for its accomplishment.
And now, in his own set time, He,
with whom "a thousand years is as
one day," He, who "is wonderful
in counsel and excellent in working,"

--is bringing about his own
designs, and raising up instruments
to effect his purposes; and happy
are they who have a part assigned
them in this work of benevolence.

Nor is it presumptuous to indulge
the belief that the story of CHLOE'S
conversion to God, her useful life,
her peaceful death, may yet be used
in the hand of the great Architect as a
"pin" in supporting the fair fabric
he is now constructing, to
show forth the honour of his name!
Her sainted spirit may, in the rolling
ages of eternity, attune her immortal
lyre, to anthems of praise
unto Him, who not only has washed
her from her sins in his own blood,
but has rendered the knowledge of
his abounding mercy towards her,
instrumental of saving some precious

souls, now perhaps, dwelling on the
spot, where once stood the hut of
her father! or on the woody beach,
which echoed with her cries, when
the hard-hearted man-stealer stifled
her feeble voice with his handkerchief!
Such, with the blessing of God,
may be the happy results, when this
little volume shall have been read
in her native land.

Her feet being now planted on
the shores of immortality, beyond
the reach of oppressors, or the fear
of invaders, she rejoices, triumphant
through HIM, who hath made her
more than a conqueror! There, at
perfect liberty, and without interruption,
she

"Will range the blest fields,
on the banks of the river,
And sing HALLELUJAH, FOREVER AND EVER"